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The comms, or Personal Communications Device,[1] is roughly analogous to a modern-day mobile phone. Comms units, sometimes referred to as "phones," are mostly used for voice calls and data transfer. Notably, there is presently no canonical evidence that a comms unit can send or receive text messages.

A comms unit is identified by its "comms coordinates," sometimes referred to as its "number."[2] Different comms units can be visually distinct: Captain Khan notes that Tod's comms looks different than Juno's.[1] Different models of comms can also have varying levels of complexity.[2]

Features[]

  • Receiver[3]
  • Adjustable volume[4]
  • Based on the sound effects, we can infer it can either have or attach to a keyboard.[5]
  • Can be used as a light source[6]
  • Can be split into a handheld unit and an earpiece[4]
  • Water-resistant: Juno's comms falls into sewer water without breaking.[4]
  • Selection of system languages[4]

Functions[]

  • Voice calls, heralded by a distinctive "beep"
  • Answering machine, including an outgoing message and voicemail storage, for when a comms unit runs "out of juice"[2] or is not answered.
  • Camera[1]
  • Audio recording[7]
  • Games[3]
  • Data transference: deeds,[8] money,[9] pictures,[1] census records[10]
    • (Optional) Transactional security: A comms device can record participants' fingerprints and verbal consent before allowing a transaction to take place.[8]
  • Access and download files from the Net[4]
  • Mail storage[11]
  • Download and play audio files. An audio file can be fast-forwarded through or paused.[4]
  • Rita can use the connection between her and Juno's comms to hack a computer. This is not a native comms feature.[5]
  • Store a list of contacts' names and comms coordinates[2]
  • Play back video footage[12]

Error modes[]

  • Running out of power: A dead comms can record incoming voice messages, but cannot be actively used.[2]
  • Loss of signal: Can be due to distance,[13] a sandstorm,[14] or active signal-blocking.[2] A comms with no signal cannot connect to the Net or receive voice calls, but it can record incoming voice messages. Poor signal can result in static.[15]
  • Producing feedback[2]

Specific variants[]

  • SatComm, an old but reliable model with limited functionality. Provided the user reaches a high enough altitude, the SatComm can connect to a signal via satellite. Issued by Dark Matters to Sasha Wire.[14]
  • Shortwave comms[15]

References[]